Denise Lodde shows us how we can create a beautiful fruit platter and a yummy fig appetizer for holiday celebrations.
RECIPES:
Fruit Platter There is really no recipe for a fruit platter - it's whatever you enjoy. At Christmas time there are a lot of more exotic fruits in the grocery store to choose from. I like to use pomegranates, persimmon and figs. A white platter works great since it becomes a blank canvas for you to try different colours and textures. I use fresh pineapple since not only can I use the fruit for the platter but the top of the pineapple makes an elegant centrepiece. Grapes, clementines and blackberries fill it out nicely.
Figs and Prosciutto If you want an elegant appetizer fruit is a great choice - especially fresh figs. Score the fig (in four) and then gently unfold it - it should look like a star fish. Take a thinly sliced piece of Prosciutto (preferably from Italy) and drape it over the middle. Another alternative is to put a dollop of goat's cheese in the middle. Better yet, do both! To make a balsamic reduction take a cup of decent quality balsamic vinegar and gently boil it down until it reduces to half or a quarter of the original amount. It should have a syrup like consistency. You can add a bit of honey to really bring out the sweetness if you prefer. Take a spoon and drizzle the reduction over the figs and Prosciutto making sure to put some on the plate (white plates work best). Enjoy!